Clubroot found in a North Dakota field had likely been there for several years, said the plant pathologist who discovered the plant.
“The size of the area makes me believe it is nothing new. It’s been there for quite a few years,” said Luis Del Rio, plant pathologist with North Dakota State University.
Unlike most new fields, where the clubroot is found at the entrance to the field, this clubroot patch, about an acre in size, was half way down the field, along the edge, said Del Rio.
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“It’s something that has been growing over time.”
The clubroot was discovered as part of a blackleg survey in northeastern North Dakota as swathing began in the fall. Del Rio said his graduate student pulled the plant out of the ground and initially thought the strange shaped roots were caused by herbicide damage or nem-atodes.
The plant later tested positive for clubroot, the first discovery in North Dakota. It has not been found in any other fields.
Clubroot was originally discovered in Alberta and has since been discovered in a few fields in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
“I didn’t anticipate it would be coming here this soon. It has been moving quite fast,” Del Rio said.
Barry Coleman, executive director of the Northern Canola Growers Association, said they weren’t surprised by the discovery.
“Clubroot has been found in several areas of Canada, with Manitoba being the most recent, so it is not a surprise that it has found its way south,” said Coleman.
“The good news is, there is a lot known about the disease and it can be managed.”
Clubroot will now be added to the agenda of the upcoming canola producers meeting, said Del Rio, who is preparing fact sheets for farmers.
He said researchers would also be stepping up their surveillance for clubroot across the region.
